ONE – SIDED LIMITS LIMITS AT INFINITY

If the value of 𝑓(𝑥) can be made as close to 𝐿 by taking If the values of the variable 𝑥 increase without bound,
the value of 𝑥 sufficiently close to 𝑎, but always greater then we write 𝑥 → +∞, and if the values of 𝑥 decrease
than 𝑎, then without bound, then we write 𝑥 → −∞.

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 The behavior of a function 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 increases or

𝑥→𝑎 +
decreases without bound is sometimes called the end
read as “the limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches a from the behavior of the function.
right is 𝐿.”
For example,
Similarly, if the value of 𝑓(𝑥) can be made as close to 𝐿
by taking the value of 𝑥 sufficiently close to 𝑎, but 1
lim =0
𝑥→−∞ 𝑥
always less than 𝑎, then
1
lim− 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿 lim =0
𝑥→𝑎 𝑥→+∞ 𝑥

read as “the limit of 𝑓(𝑥) as 𝑥 approaches 𝑎 from the Example :

left is 𝐿.” If both statements are true and equal then
3𝑥 + 5
lim
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝐿. 𝑛→∞ 6𝑥 − 8
𝑥→𝑎
3𝑥 + 5
Example : 𝑥
lim
𝑛→∞ 6𝑥 − 8
𝑥
5
3+𝑥
lim
𝑛→∞ 8
6−𝑥

3
lim
𝑛→∞ 6

1
lim =
𝑛→∞ 2

Evaluate the following limits:

𝑡−2 𝑡<0 Let 𝑓 be the function defined on both sides of 𝑎, except

Let 𝑔(𝑡) = { 𝑡 2 0≤𝑡≤2 possibly at 𝑎 itself. Then,
2𝑡 𝑡>2
lim 𝑓(𝑥) = +∞
Find: lim 𝑔(𝑡) 𝑥→𝑎
𝑡→0
means that the values of 𝑓(𝑥) can be made arbitrarily
Left – sided Limit
large (as large as we please) by taking 𝑥 sufficiently
lim 𝑔(𝑡) = 𝑡 − 2 close to 𝑎, but not equal to 𝑎. Also,
𝑡→0−

lim 𝑓(𝑥) = −∞
lim 𝑔(𝑡) = 0 − 2 𝑥→𝑎
𝑡→0−

means that the values of 𝑓(𝑥) can be made arbitrarily

lim 𝑔(𝑡) = −2
𝑡→0− large negative by taking 𝑥 sufficiently close to 𝑎, but not
Right – sided Limit close to 𝑎.

lim 𝑔(𝑡) = 𝑡 2
𝑡→0+

lim 𝑔(𝑡) = (0)2

𝑡→0

lim 𝑔(𝑡) = 0
𝑡→0

lim 𝑔(𝑡) = 𝑑𝑜𝑒𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑠𝑡

𝑡→0

So, why the limit of lim 𝑔(𝑡) does not exist?

𝑡→0

Well it is because the value of right – sided limit and

left– sided limit is not equal.